PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS 2026 GRADED A+
◉ What are the S&S of ARDS? Answer: SOB, Shallow Rapid
Breathing, Atelectasis (aveoli close), Dyspnea, Inspiratory Crackles,
Respiratory Alkalosis, Decreased Lung Compliance, Hypoxemia
◉ What are the S&S of tension pneumothorax? Answer: Pressure that
builds up and pushes the trachea towards the unaffected side; Absent
breath sounds over affected lung
◉ What is cystic fibrosis? Answer: Excessive mucous coating in the
lungs and pancreas; Genetic Disorder (Autosomal Recessive)
◉ Changes with an asthma attack:. Answer: Wheezing, SOB,
Bronchoconstriction, Dyspnea, Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
◉ How do you interpret ABG's? Answer: 1. Look at pH (acidosis - low
or alkalosis - high)
2. Check the CO2 (resp. indicator) - less than 35 (alkalosis) more than
45 (acidosis)
3. Check the HCO3 (metabolic indicator) - less than 22 (acidosis) more
than 26 (alkalosis)
, 4. Determine primary disorder (matches the pH)
5. Determine if its compensated (pH returns to normal or near normal)
◉ Respiratory Acidosis: What happens to the pH/CO2? Answer:
Elevation (increase) of pCO2 -- Decreased pH (acidosis)
◉ Respiratory Alkalosis: What happens to the pH/CO2? Answer:
Depression (decrease) of pCO2 -- Increased pH (alkalosis)
◉ Metabolic Acidosis: What happens to the pH/HCO3? Answer:
Depression (decrease) of HCO3 -- Decreased pH (acidosis)
◉ Metabolic Alkalosis: What happens to the pH/HCO3? Answer:
Elevation (increase) of HCO3 -- Increased pH (alkalosis)
◉ What are signs of renal cancer? Answer: No pain! Hematuria (Blood
in the Urine)
◉ How do you manage end stage renal disease? Answer: Dialysis, Fluid
Restriction, Low Protein Diet, Decrease Medication Doses, Anti-
hypertensive, Give Ca Supplements, Give Erythropoietin Shot, Give
Iron Supplements/Blood Transfusion (anemic)
◉ What do you call kidney pain? Answer: Nephralgia
SOLUTIONS 2026 GRADED A+
◉ What are the S&S of ARDS? Answer: SOB, Shallow Rapid
Breathing, Atelectasis (aveoli close), Dyspnea, Inspiratory Crackles,
Respiratory Alkalosis, Decreased Lung Compliance, Hypoxemia
◉ What are the S&S of tension pneumothorax? Answer: Pressure that
builds up and pushes the trachea towards the unaffected side; Absent
breath sounds over affected lung
◉ What is cystic fibrosis? Answer: Excessive mucous coating in the
lungs and pancreas; Genetic Disorder (Autosomal Recessive)
◉ Changes with an asthma attack:. Answer: Wheezing, SOB,
Bronchoconstriction, Dyspnea, Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
◉ How do you interpret ABG's? Answer: 1. Look at pH (acidosis - low
or alkalosis - high)
2. Check the CO2 (resp. indicator) - less than 35 (alkalosis) more than
45 (acidosis)
3. Check the HCO3 (metabolic indicator) - less than 22 (acidosis) more
than 26 (alkalosis)
, 4. Determine primary disorder (matches the pH)
5. Determine if its compensated (pH returns to normal or near normal)
◉ Respiratory Acidosis: What happens to the pH/CO2? Answer:
Elevation (increase) of pCO2 -- Decreased pH (acidosis)
◉ Respiratory Alkalosis: What happens to the pH/CO2? Answer:
Depression (decrease) of pCO2 -- Increased pH (alkalosis)
◉ Metabolic Acidosis: What happens to the pH/HCO3? Answer:
Depression (decrease) of HCO3 -- Decreased pH (acidosis)
◉ Metabolic Alkalosis: What happens to the pH/HCO3? Answer:
Elevation (increase) of HCO3 -- Increased pH (alkalosis)
◉ What are signs of renal cancer? Answer: No pain! Hematuria (Blood
in the Urine)
◉ How do you manage end stage renal disease? Answer: Dialysis, Fluid
Restriction, Low Protein Diet, Decrease Medication Doses, Anti-
hypertensive, Give Ca Supplements, Give Erythropoietin Shot, Give
Iron Supplements/Blood Transfusion (anemic)
◉ What do you call kidney pain? Answer: Nephralgia
